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Storm Lake , IA
Buena Vista University (BVU) is a private university located in Storm Lake, Iowa, United States. Established in 1891, BVU has a long and rich history of providing quality education to its students. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in various disciplines, as well as several graduate programs.
At Buena Vista University, students benefit from a close-knit community and a supportive learning environment. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, students are able to receive personalized attention from their professors. The university focuses on experiential and hands-on learning, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in real-life situations through internships, research opportunities, and community engagement.
BVU is committed to helping students develop into well-rounded individuals. Along with their academic pursuits, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, including athletics, student organizations, and the arts. The university also emphasizes the importance of service and leadership, providing numerous opportunities for community service and campus involvement. Graduates of BVU are well-prepared for their future careers, as the university's career services department offers exceptional support in terms of professional development, job placement, and networking opportunities. Overall, Buena Vista University provides a comprehensive education that prepares students for success in their personal and professional lives.
Buena Vista University is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Storm Lake, IA. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at Buena Vista University is 77% and the six-year graduation rate is 62%.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about Buena Vista University.
Quick Facts
810
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$40,190
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
62%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most important data you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Buena Vista University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,078 in 2025. Buena Vista University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 3, 37 between 24-29, 41 in the range between 18-23, and 19 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 22 and the average GPA was 3.41. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Buena Vista University was 77%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 62%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Buena Vista University in 2025 was 1,264.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 30% for that year. There was a total of 810 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 11 international students. The school admitted a total of 40 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 397 male and 421 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Buena Vista University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 12, and the number of African American students was 29. 109 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 12 identified with more than one race. There were also 9 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Buena Vista University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $40,190 in 2025. Buena Vista University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,132.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at Buena Vista University amounted to $10,896 a year. If you only needed a dorm room, you had to pay $5,266 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 40,190 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,896 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,132 |
| Total Expense | $ 52,218 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Buena Vista University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 196 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $37,169.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 647 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 651. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $2,242,381, and state $2,841,399. The students of Buena Vista University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $16,154,087, and external in the amount of $443,938.
$26,841
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 134 students overall (including freshmen) at Buena Vista University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 35 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $2,242,381 while the state aid is $192,484. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $4,773,597. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $310,778 USD.
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Buena Vista University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 97 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 35 men and 62 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Buena Vista University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about social life at Buena Vista University.
It has a campus size of 60 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
This school has 50 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Student Mobilizing Outreach and Volunteer Efforts, followed by Student Senate and Esprit De Corps. Other popular student organizations at this school are Orientation Team and Student Activities Board.
Those who like music can join the Buena Vista University band or chorus. Interested in media and communication? Buena Vista University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Buena Vista University has a number of services needed for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Buena Vista University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Buena Vista University.
Career Counselling
At Buena Vista University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Buena Vista University is 40,190 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Buena Vista University is 77%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Buena Vista University is 77%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
